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Thursday, May 12, 2016

I found the line that sums it all up. I'm reading Find Your Extraordinary by Jessica Herrin, and even though I've only completed one chapter I love it. Jessica makes it quite clear that this isn't a book about gender equality. It is a book about finding success on your own terms.

I've heard gender equality talked about as an obstacle quite often, especially in this election cycle. But, it isn't something that Jessica focuses, and I when I sit and think about it gender isn't something I that I focus on either. And she has given me the quote that sums up all the thoughts I have had about me and men.

"I have never thought I can do anything a man can do--I have just always thought I can do anything." - Jessica Herrin

Can I get an AMEN! I grew up surrounded by farming and ranching. In those world's a lot would say it is a man's world. Not me. Maybe it is the way my mom and dad raised my sister and I but I have never once thought to myself I can't do that because I am not a man.

"I can't drive the tractor because I am not a man. I can't lift up that hay bale because I don't have the strengthen of a man." Instead I figured out how to recruit my sister into coming and helping me so we could get the job done together. I love driving the skid steer to clean the cattle pens (it isn't the most glamorous job, but it is fun!) I usually get the skid steer stuck or stalled at some point and the Boy comes and helps me, but that didn't happen because I am a woman. It happened because I probably got a little excited and made the wrong move. He got the tractor stuck big time this past weekend and that didn't happen because of his sex.

In my off the farm career I work along side men and woman and I never think "Well I better handle that because that is a woman's job or what will he think if I speak up." I just do it. I do the job because I truly believe I can do anything, and I take this mentality from boardroom to pasture.

That's ultimate equality right? Knowing you can do anything. And then also knowing that there are people around you, both men and women, that can help you out.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Last month I had the opportunity to stand in front of a real boss babe. You know the kind that has built multiple businesses from the ground up, tries to find that balance between success and happiness and finds time for her family and herself. Yeah I want to be like that girl.

Her name is Jessica Herrin CEO of the Stella & Dot Family of Brands. She has been featured on Oprah, the Today Show, and Undercover Boss, in Fortune, the NY Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and was included on Inc.'s list of top 10 Female CEOs.

After graduating from Stanford University with a B.A. in Economics, Jessica joined two successful tech startups before heading back to the Stanford Graduate School of Business. At the ripe age of 24, she dropped out of business school to co-found the leading wedding site, WeddingChannel.comaka the Knot. I've been patiently waiting for her new book Find Your Extraordinary to come out, and it is finally here. My copy ships tomorrow and I can't wait to dive in. But I've been thinking wouldn't it be more fun to get inspired together? I mean I feel like Taylor Swift shouldn't be the only one with her own girl gang. So I am inviting you to the Find Your Extraordinary Book Discussion Group, and invite a girlfriend while you are there.

We'll start reading on May 12 so lots of time to pick up the book from Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Use coupon code BNLOVEMOM at Barnes and Noble through 5/3/16 and receive 20% off your book. Then join the group and you'll be set. And you never know, if this goes well maybe we'll pick up another book afterwards.

About Me

These are just a few of the stories that make up the life of an ag girl. I have a passion for agriculture, and want to see farmers remain on the land, raising food for all of us. You'll also get a dash of cattle life from around the country as I travel for work, and some commentary on my hectic life. I love photography, video production, K-State (yes I bleed purple), the livestock industry and have bounced from Alberta, to Kansas, to Missouri, to Iowa. Stay tuned. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @crystalcattle